GB2586533A

GB2586533A - A cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2586533A
Application number: GB2005971.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scozzari Tony
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2021-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-23
Also published as: GB202005971D0; GB2586533B

Abstract

Cleaning apparatus comprises a plurality of cleaning heads 5, such as mop heads and a plurality of bucket screens 2, in use each bucket screen is arranged over a separate bucket 7, wherein each cleaning head is configured to cooperate with and pass through only one of the bucket screens, thereby enabling only one cleaning head is able to be used with a selected bucket. The screen preferably comprises an aperture with a first configuration or shape and the head comprises a collar 1 with a corresponding configuration or shape.

Description

A CLEANING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cleaning apparatus, in particular cleaning apparatus for different cleaning zones.

Background

Increasing awareness of cleanliness in medical, surgical and/or high traffic areas of hospitals or similar is a factor in many societies and an increasing worry with reference to antibiotic resistance.

Currently for firms to clean multiple medical practices the biggest factor in cleaning 15 medical buildings is infection control, this means keeping separate coloured items for certain areas, for example as follows: Yellow -Clinical areas Red -Washrooms Blue -General areas Green -Canteen/Kitchen area To make sure cloths are not used incorrectly cleaning firms may use disposable cloths, use once and throw away. Alternatively or additionally significant amounts of training 25 expenditure may be necessary for maintaining correct standards.

Prior Art

US 2014 0 076 357 (COLLETTE) discloses a restaurant cleaning mop includes a colour label on the surface of the mop handle to identify the area of the restaurant in which the cleaning mop is to be utilized. The mop handle is detachable from a mop head and the handle bears the indicia. Moreover, since the indicia is provided on the detachable handle, the non-differentiated mop head can be easily replaced as needed and the mop handle remains in the designated area while the mop head is replaced.

US 6 293 726 (WOLF) discloses a device for attaching an elongated handle to any one of a variety of cleaning implements, regardless of whether the cleaning implements are provided with a socket or a protuberance for purposes of attaching an elongated handle thereto.

GB 8 903 455 (EGERTON et al) discloses an attachment device for connecting a mop head to a pole comprising a collar and a boss extending upwardly from the collar. A plurality of slots extend vertically through the boss wall, the slots being bridged by bridging nuts. This arrangement allows the diameter of the channel defined by the boss to be resiliently increased in order to accommodate poles of differing diameters within the channel.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of cleaning heads and a plurality of bucket screens, in use each bucket screen is arranged over a separate bucket, wherein each cleaning head is configured to cooperate with and pass through only one of the bucket screens, thereby enabling only one cleaning head is able to be used with a selected bucket.

In some embodiments the apparatus may further comprise more than one handle.

In some embodiments each head may only be arranged to cooperate with one handle.

In other embodiments the cleaning head may be envisaged to comprise a handle.

In some embodiments the screen may be adapted to only cooperate with a particular bucket.

In some embodiments the apparatus may be colour-coded, wherein for example the screen, and head, and for example handle and bucket, are colour-coded to provide an 35 easy visual reference to the required configuration of screen and head, and associated parts where relevant.

In this way mop handles, mop heads and buckets may all be coordinated, for example, a washroom mop handle only fits a washroom mop head, a surgery mop head only fits a surgery mop handle. This way only the correct mop head will fit the correct handle, which is vital for inspections where surgeries can be closed if the correct colour coding procedure is not followed.

In this way the apparatus of the present invention enables a user to ensure that the apparatus is only used for a particular location or zone. In turn this advantageously 10 means that cross-contamination between locations is prevented or minimised.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises mating and/or locking mechanisms, such that the head for example may comprise a collar of an asymmetric or particular shape or form, and the screen may comprise a head aperture having an asymmetric or particular shape or form, thereby preventing entry where the aperture and collar do not mate.

In some embodiments the handle may be arranged with an end having a male or female mating mechanism part, and the head may be arranged with an end having a 20 corresponding female or male mating mechanism part.

For example in some embodiments the handle comprises a component allowing axial displacement of the head, and the handle and head share a male and female locking configuration which is engaged axially.

In some embodiments the screen may comprise a lower face arranged with an asymmetric or particular form or shape, so as to limit the screen fitting over buckets without a corresponding upper form.

In some embodiments the screen comprises a drainer and a cover. The cover may be arranged to provide the mechanism, where the drainer is arranged to provide a means of draining or wringing the head in use. This advantageously allows for minimised part manufacture. The cover may clip or be bonded onto the drainer semi-permanently.

The head may comprise a mop attachment, with plural fingers, parts or bristles, in a manner known in the art. The head attachment may be absorbent or non-absorbent as preferred according to the known art.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of a mop head, handle, screen and bucket for apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of a mop head, screen and drainer for the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 20 3; Figure 5 shows a plan view of the mop head and screen shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a side view of the mop head and screen shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 7 show diagrammatic views of configurations of mop heads and screens for embodiments of the apparatus according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus generally showing an embodiment of a device 99 for a set of cleaning apparatus comprising 35 plural cleaning heads with various configurations as shown in Figures 7, wherein the apparatus comprises plural buckets 7, and plural bucket screens 2, wherein each head is arranged to cooperate with only one of the plural screens 2, such that the head 5 passes that screen to enter the bucket, or more particular, as pictured a drainer 6, and is prevented from passing through the other screens of the apparatus.

It may be envisaged that corresponding cleaning heads and bucket screens of the apparatus are visually coordinated to match one another.

In particular reference to the figures the figures show an embodiment of a device that comprises a handle 9, formed of a stainless steel or powder coat mild steel, with a 10 rubber end, a bucket 7, with a drainer 6, and a screen 2 over the drainer.

The pictured embodiment comprises a handle 9 that has a fixed multipart head 5 comprising a collar 1, and a displaceable mop attachment 15, utilising a reversible locking configuration engaged axially.

In this way the device provides a mop handle, mop head 5 and bucket that are all colour coordinated depending on the area that is being cleaned. Additionally or alternatively the parts won't be able to be used with different coloured parts to stop cross-contamination and infection spreading.

The screen 2 attaches to the drainer 6 with resiliently deformable tabs 3, which clip into the drainer 6. In this way the screen 2 may be permanently located on the drainer, however the drainer may be used with multiple screens in manufacture.

The bucket 7 is otherwise a standard or known mop bucket, with a drainer for rinsing or squeezing the mop head.

The screen 6 comprises an aperture 21 with a particular shape, which shape is matched by the collar 1 above the mop head 6.

The mop head comprises an attachment comprising plural fingers 15 of fabric or material, common to mops known in the art. The rubber mop attachments come in different colours that will match the corresponding coloured part. It may be envisaged to be single-use mop that at the end of the day will be thrown away and be replace.

The collar 1 is at the bottom of the handle 9, above the mop head fingers 15.

The collar 1 thereby enables the head 5 to enter the aperture sufficiently to reach the drainer. The custom shape will only allow the corresponding mop part to go through and rinse the excess water off.

For the connection of the collar 1 to the mop head attachment 15 rubber parts 11 and 12 allow an axial sliding friction fit and allow a small flex when mopping. A small plastic U shaped clip component 13 may be able to be removed so that new mop head attachment 15 can be replaced into or onto the mop head 5.

The collar is used as a key to allow the mop into the corresponding bucket and the rubber resistance fit components 11,12 fit together via a resistance fit to maintain the attachment on the head. The rubber component allows parts to be firmly held in place with some flexure.

In some embodiments the collar may be located lower with respect to the head, or the aperture of the screen located higher.

With reference to Figure 7, there is shown different configurations of the apertures 21 20 and/or collars 1, so as to allow for coordination of the heads and screens, and corresponding buckets, according to allocated location or zone.

This provides a locking configuration for the handles and heads and comprises male and female configuration parts, wherein one part at least is resiliently deformable.

The same configurations may be utilised for connection of the handle to the displaceable part of the mop head attachment 15, wherein the handle comprises a component 11 allowing axial displacement of a head, with a component 12 sharing the same configuration, and the handle and head thereby share a friction locking configuration.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 35 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. Cleaning apparatus comprising a plurality of cleaning heads and a plurality of bucket screens, in use each bucket screen is arranged over a separate bucket, wherein each cleaning head is configured to cooperate with and pass through only one of the bucket screens, thereby enabling only one cleaning head is able to be used with a selected bucket.
2. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the screen comprises an aperture with a first configuration and the head comprises a collar with a collar with a corresponding configuration.
3. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a handle with a displaceable head.
4. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 comprising a handle with a displaceable head attachment.
5. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the handle comprises a component allowing axial displacement of the head, and the handle and head share a male and female locking configuration which engage axially one with another.
6. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the handle comprises a component allowing axial displacement of the attachment, and the handle and attachment share a male and female locking configuration engaged axially.
7. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the locking configuration comprises male and female configuration parts, wherein one part at least is resiliently deformable.
8. Cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the corresponding cleaning heads and bucket screens are visually coordinated to match one another.
9. Cleaning apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the corresponding heads and buckets are colour-coded.
10. A device for use with the cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, the device comprising: a handle, a mop head, a collar; and a bucket with a drainer and screen, wherein the collar fits an aperture in the screen.